LG Debuts Google Play Edition G Pad

LG offers a G Pad 8.3 tablet with stock Android, available from Google via its Play Store.

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LG announced the first-ever Google Play Edition tablet Tuesday. LG is stripping its own user interface and software from its G Pad 8.3 tablet and offering it with the stock Android 4.4 KitKat operating system. The device goes on sale Tuesday.

Until now, there have been only two Play Edition devices: the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphones. The Play Edition devices are the next best thing to owning a Nexus-branded phone or tablet. The Play Edition One and GS4 are not running HTC's Sense 5.5 and Samsung's TouchWiz user interface skins, respectively. Instead, they offer consumers leading hardware with the stock Android operating system.

There are pros and cons. On the up side, the Play Edition devices offer the best pure Android experience and get speedy operating system updates. On the down side, they don't include some manufacturer customizations, such as the One's excellent camera software.

These Play Edition smartphones are available directly from Google's Play Store online, rather than from wireless network operators. Retailing at $599 and $649 for the One and GS4, respectively, they also don't enjoy low Nexus-like pricing.

The G Pad is the first Play Edition tablet. The LG G Pad 8.3, which went on sale in October, is a solid tablet. As its name implies, it features an 8.3-inch, in-plane switching LCD screen. It offers a resolution of 1,920 x 1,200 pixels, with a pixel density of 273 pixels per inch. That may fall below Apple's Retina pixel standard, but it will display full HD video content.

The tablet measures 8.53 x 4.98 x 0.33 inches and weighs 11.92 ounces (0.75 pounds). Though it's slightly bigger than the iPad Mini, it's still compact enough to carry around easily. The display offers plenty of real estate, and LG spared no expense with the design. It is a well-made piece of hardware.

The G Pad is powered by a 1.7-GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor, which is paired with 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of built-in storage. If that's not enough, the G Pad supports microSD cards up to 64 GB. Other tech specs include a five-megapixel camera with back-side illumination and a 4,600 mAh Li-Polymer battery. Connectivity is limited to WiFi, as there's no cellular data radio.

"LG's working relationship with Google has always been strong and our collaboration on the first-ever Google Play Edition tablet is proof of that commitment," Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications, said in a press release. "The LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play Edition is a device with hardware and software that has been optimized for a truly consumer-friendly experience. There's nothing else like it out there in the marketplace."

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The biggest problem I have with Google tablets is its continual locking down of Android so it can be sold as proprietary. Case in point the inability to install apps by default to an SD card and the inability to customize w/o voiding the warranty by rooting the phone/tablet.

Two new tablets with premium features are the Pipo M7 Pro ($255) 8.9 inch tablet and the Pipo M9 Pro ($284) full size 10.1" tablet and both offer 1900×1200 screen resolution (Samsung PLS display), Quad core performance (1.6 GHz) - 2GB, built-in GPS navigation, Dual Band WiFi (2.4/5.0 GHz), MicroSD slot, two MicroUSB ports, HDMI, Android 4.2.2 with an upgrade available soon for Android 4.4 Kit Kat, and an option to run standard Android O/S or a multimedia User Interface that makes the Android experience much more intuitive and easier to use.

Both models also offer 3G HSPA+ editions for roughly $30 more - which is an impressive deal since most 3G/4G tablets typically run $100 more -- and offer a built-in SIM slot; and can be easily added to any wireless plan through most GSM carriers, including AT&T, T-Mobile and Straight Talk Wireless (with provides service through AT&T)

Plus the Pipo M9 Pro -3G edition now offers Voice Calling capability and works well with Bluetooth headsets for phone calls -- All other major brand devices with 3G/4G, including iPad and Nexus products, only feature Data Internet and none offer Voice calling capability.

One U.S.source the Pipo Pro series is available through is -- TabletSprint -- which also adds in $25 in Bonus Apps with each tablet, plus features a promotion for free monthly 4G access, with 500MB of data at no charge every month.

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